Scottish Government holds emergency meeting over Storm Floris disruption
During the meeting, ministers heard that utilities companies are working to reconnect properties experiencing power outages.
The meeting was attended by justice and home affairs secretary Angela Constance, transport secretary Fiona Hyslop, cabinet secretary for health and social care Neil Gray and climate action and energy secretary Gillian Martin.
They were joined by representatives from the Met Office, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, SEPA, transport and utilities companies and further resilience partners.
The Transport Scotland Resilience Room and the Multi-Agency Response Team remain activated to monitor and report on conditions throughout the duration of the storm.
Trunk road companies are continuing to remove fallen trees and debris from damaged infrastructure from roads, and have engaged specialist resources to assist.
The Scottish Government said there have been 119 incidents on the rail network caused by Storm Floris, including 75 tree-related incidents. Of those, 85% were due to third party trees.
With winds of up to 90mph in some parts of the country, a significant clear-up job will be required to inspect lines and carry out repair work before it is safe to restore a full service.
ScotRail is urging customers to check their journey via the app, website or JourneyCheck before they travel.
The train operator will also provide updates across social media channels throughout the night.
We've worked closely with all train operators to coordinate the railway's response to #StormFloris.
Due to travel tomorrow? Check your journey at https://t.co/bzD9e6TNDL@ScotRail @LNER @AvantiWestCoast @TPExpressTrains @CrossCountryUK @LumoTravel @CalSleeper @transcotland
— Network Rail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) August 4, 2025
Following the meeting, Ms Constance said: 'As expected, there has been significant disruption, particularly across the travel networks.
'We are still in an amber warning, and the advice remains to stay well informed, keep yourselves and others safe and avoid travel if you can, until the danger has passed.
'Power cuts are affecting a significant number of properties, and while utilities companies are working hard to reconnect supply in the face of challenging conditions, this will undoubtedly take some time to complete.
'The weather is expected to improve tomorrow, but the recovery period – both to reconnect homes to power and get transport back to normal – will require some time to clear the debris.
'We will continue to receive updates throughout Tuesday and will have a better idea on public transport tomorrow morning.'
On X, Network Rail said it has 'worked closely with all train operators' to co-ordinate the railway's response to the storm.
The railway operator added: 'We've been working around the clock to keep services moving today.
'Our teams will continue inspecting routes for #StormFloris damage overnight, but this will continue into Tuesday morning.'
We've been working around the clock to keep services moving today. Our teams will continue inspecting routes for #StormFloris damage overnight, but this will continue into Tuesday morning.
Please check your journey before you leave the house tomorrow at https://t.co/bzD9e6TNDL
— Network Rail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) August 4, 2025
Network Rail previously said it is working 'tirelessly' to clear routes blocked by falling trees and debris, and that disruption was likely to continue into Tuesday.
However, some checks will need to be carried out on Tuesday morning.
Rail, road and ferry travel were disrupted and festival events cancelled as Storm Floris swept across Scotland, bringing with it heavy rain and strong gusts.
Disruption on the railways has left passengers facing multiple cancellations, while a number of roads around the country have been blocked.
Western coastal areas are bearing the brunt of the summer storm but strong winds and heavy rain are affecting much of the rest of the country.
We have received reports of campervans being blown over on the A87 between Broadford and Portree due to high winds caused by Storm Floris.
We are advising motorists not to travel on the Bealach na Ba. Campervans should remain parked in sheltered areas until wind speed reduces. pic.twitter.com/fzUIk9dZEm
— Police Scotland Highland & Islands (@PSOSHighland) August 4, 2025
As of 11.30pm on Monday, a yellow weather warning from the Met Office was in place in Scotland until 8am on Tuesday.
Police previously said they had received 'multiple reports' of campervans being blown over on the A87 between Broadford and Portree on Skye, while in Aberdeenshire the A96 is closed in both directions near Old Rayne because of several fallen trees.
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Powys County Times
10 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Work to restore power to thousands as Storm Floris moves on from Scotland
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The Independent
10 minutes ago
- The Independent
Storm Floris map: Thousands left without power after UK battered by 100mph winds
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Telegraph
11 minutes ago
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Thousands without power and travel disrupted after Storm Floris
Thousands of homes have been left without power as the Scottish Government called an emergency meeting in response to 'significant disruption' caused by Storm Floris. Delays on rail, roads and sea continued into Tuesday, as ScotRail said suspended routes would not be re-opened until around 4pm. Monday saw the operator battling to clear fallen trees and gazebos from its tracks, as part of 119 rail incidents (including 75 tree-related ones) which plagued operations. Met Office data showed a gust of 134mph was recorded at the summit of Cairn Gorm in the Highlands, with the strongest gust away from the mountains being around 90mph. The sixth named storm of the season resulted in campervans being blown over in the Scottish Highlands and holidaymakers being stranded. In the Scottish capital, 100 Fringe shows and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo were cancelled, the latter for the first time in 75 years. A fence being blown over caused a large herd of cows to take of the streets of Carfin in North Lanarkshire. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said Storm Floris had been ' the most damaging summer storm in recent memory', as it worked to restore power to around 22,000 properties in the northern parts of the country on Tuesday morning. The Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire were the worst hit areas. SSEN said it was providing free hot food and drinks on Tuesday in several areas where homes remained without power. On Monday night, the Scottish Government's Resilience Room convened to help decide an appropriate response to the storm, which has also led to delays in exam results being delivered to pupils. The meeting was attended by justice and home affairs secretary, Angela Constance, transport secretary Fiona Hyslop, cabinet secretary for health and social care, Neil Gray, and climate action and energy secretary, Gillian Martin. They met with representatives from the Met Office, Police Scotland and Transport Scotland, as well as transport and utilities companies. Ms Constance said: 'As expected, there has been significant disruption, particularly across the travel networks. 'Power cuts are affecting a significant number of properties, and while utilities companies are working hard to reconnect supply in the face of challenging conditions, this will undoubtedly take some time to complete. 'The recovery period – both to reconnect homes to power and get transport back to normal – will require some time to clear the debris. We will continue to receive updates throughout Tuesday.' Elsewhere, Caledonian Sleeper services were cancelled on Monday night and LNER said services north of Newcastle could be delayed or cancelled on Tuesday. TransPennine Express advised customers not to travel before 9am on Tuesday and to check on all services before travelling after then. CalMac Ferries, which operates services on Scotland's west coast, faced disruption on Tuesday, while on the roads, Traffic Scotland said the Tyne Bridge and Forth Road Bridge had reopened overnight. Further south, the A66 in Durham and Cumbria was closed to high-sided vehicles for several hours overnight between Scotch Corner and the M6 at Penrith due to high winds. A yellow warning for wind remained in place for the Orkney and Shetland Islands until 8am on Tuesday, and while conditions are expected to improve, more wet and windy weather is likely to return to the north-west of the UK late on Wednesday and into Thursday. Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Mike Silverstone said: 'While the system later this week won't carry as many impacts as Storm Floris, a further period of unseasonable wet and windy weather is on the way late on Wednesday and into Thursday for those in northwestern parts of the UK.'
